Monday’s $300,000, Group II, Brisbane Cup, run at 2400 metres for the first time this year, has brought together a quality field and it’s fitting that this race is the first of the Australian Stayers Challenge (ASC) races to be conducted in Brisbane during 2007.

The ASC comprises 34 of Australia’s premier Black Type staying events and was intro­duced by the Australian Racing Board as an incentive for individual States to build staying races over time with the goal of inclusion in the Challenge.  

All ASC races carry point allocations, with the horse that earns the most points throughout the Challenge crowned the ‘Australian Stayers Challenge Champion’, with the prize being a coveted exemption from any ballot for the 2007 Emirates Melbourne Cup.

Queensland Racing’s racing services manager, Paul Brennan said: “This year’s Bris­bane Cup is the first to be conducted at the reduced distance of 2400 metres and whilst the decision to alter the distance of this race was seen by many as radical move, there is no doubt that the quality of this year’s race vindicates the decision.”

“Fifteen of the 20 acceptors have won or been placed at Group level, with a remark­able 35 percent of the field being winners or placegetters at the elite Group 1 level,” Mr Brennan said.

“The lure of exemption to this year’s Melbourne Cup will certainly be much sort after and with 150 ASC points on offer in the Brisbane Cup, it will provide a solid platform for the winner to pursue this coveted prize.” 

In another coup for the Winter Carnival the Australian Racing Board has just an­nounced that the Queensland Cup $150,000 - 3200 metres will be conducted this year as the Group 3 Queen’s Cup.

Brennan said: “This race is rotated throughout Australia and it’s pleasing that the Aus­tralian Racing Board had enough faith in the rejuvenated Queensland Cup to honour it with Group 3 status and the Queen’s Cup name.”

“This race has been repositioned from late November to its new home in early July and early indications are that a number of those horses competing in the Cup races over the next four weekends will remain in Brisbane to contest this 3200 metre event.  The announcement that this race has also been included within the ASC is sure to add to the interest in this race.”

There are an additional two (2) ASC races to be conducted throughout the Winter Car­nival, these being:

o        30/6/07       Caloundra City Cup (LR)         2400m              $300,000

o        7/7/07         Queen’s Cup (Group 3)           3200m              $150,000